Method and system for playing a blackjack game enabling bonus bets

ABSTRACT

Computerized and gaming table versions of a blackjack game with bonus bets is provided where a player plays a one-on-one blackjack game against the dealer with the option to place bonus bets. Several bonus bets which can be placed by the player include: one pair; the value of the player&#39;s first two dealt cards (the player can bet on the value being 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 (blackjack); the value of the player&#39;s first two dealt cards total 17 or 18; the value of the player&#39;s first two dealt cards total 18 or 19; the value of the player&#39;s first two dealt cards total 20 or 21; and the value of the player&#39;s first two dealt cards total a number from 17 to 20.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation-in-part application from an application filed on Jun. 23, 2004 and assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 10/874,423. The latter application claims priority from a United States Provisional Application filed on Oct. 6, 2003 and assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/509,024; a U.S. Provisional Application filed on Oct. 17, 2003 and assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/512,483; and a U.S. Provisional Application filed on Dec. 22, 2003 and assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/531,750. The contents of all four patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming systems, and more specifically to a method and system for playing a blackjack game enabling bonus bets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The gaming industry has come to recognize that to sustain long term success it must be constantly innovative in introducing new games and new gambling concepts to the gaming public. One example of this innovating drive can be appreciated in the embrace of the Internet and online gaming by the gaming industry. Presently, most games found in casinos, both brick-and-mortar and online, have centered on the traditional games associated with the gaming industry.

The new market for the gaming industry and perhaps most especially the online gaming industry is that group of individuals who find the traditional games too complex or simply not exciting enough. In the drive to attract greater numbers of players, offline and online gaming manufacturers and casinos strive to include games that are familiar, simple to understand, engaging, and entertaining.

Perhaps, the one game that most people are familiar with is blackjack. The challenge for the industry is to take blackjack's familiarity and simplicity and marry it with exciting, faster pace game play; games which take more than a few minutes to play to completion are generally not economically feasible for the gaming industry.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a novel blackjack game enabling bonus bets for more exciting game play.

Further, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a novel blackjack game enabling bonus bets that can be played via various means, such as a computing device (e.g., casino-type gaming machine (e.g., slot machine), PDA, personal computer, cellular telephone, etc.) and on a gaming table.

Further still, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a set of programmable instructions capable of being stored within a memory of a computer system, a remote server accessible via the Internet, or on a computer-readable medium, such as a CD or a 3.5″ diskette, and configured for execution by at least one processor for enabling a player to play the novel blackjack game enabling bonus bets.

In accordance with the aspects of the present invention, the present invention provides a novel blackjack game enabling bonus bets which can be played on a computing device or on a gaming table. An example of a preferred computing device is a casino-type video game system, such as a slot machine, having a touch screen and/or buttons for receiving player inputs and configured for receiving and awarding money.

In the computerized and gaming table versions of the blackjack game of the present invention, the player plays a one-on-one blackjack game against the dealer with the option to place bonus bets. In one embodiment, the player has the option of placing the following bonus bets prior to the start of the blackjack game against the dealer: one pair (the player's first two dealt cards have the same face value if they are number cards, e.g., two aces, two deuces, two threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., two jacks, two queens and two kings); three-of-a-kind (the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card have the same value if the three cards are number cards, e.g., three aces, three deuces, three threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., three jacks, three queens and three kings); the player's first two dealt cards are red; the player's first two dealt cards are black; the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card are red; the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card are black; the value of the player's first two dealt cards is less than 13 points; the value of the player's first two dealt cards is greater than 13 points; and the value of the player's first two dealt cards (the player can bet on the value being 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 (blackjack)). Additional bonus bets are contemplated such as the following: double down on all bets; dealer hits on 16; dealer stands on soft 17 (in the case where one of the rules is that the dealer must stand on 17); and single split by the player.

In another embodiment of the game of the present invention, the player has the option of placing the following bonus bets prior to the start of the blackjack game against the dealer: one pair (the player's first two dealt cards have the same face value if they are number cards, e.g., two aces, two deuces, two threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., two jacks, two queens and two kings); the player's first two dealt cards are red; the player's first two dealt cards are black; the value of the player's first two dealt cards is less than 13 points; the value of the player's first two dealt cards is greater than 13 points; and the value of the player's first two dealt cards (the player can bet on the value being 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 (blackjack)). Additional bonus bets are contemplated such as the following: double down on all bets; dealer hits on 16; dealer stands on soft 17; and single split by the player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1-14 are screen views of an exemplary play of an electronic version of the game of one embodiment according to the present invention;

FIGS. 15-23 are illustrative table views of an exemplary play of a table version of the inventive game of the embodiment shown by FIGS. 1-14;

FIG. 24 is an illustrative table view of an exemplary play of a table version of the inventive game of an alternate embodiment; and

FIG. 25 is an illustrative table view of an exemplary table layout of a table version of the inventive game of another alternate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system for playing a blackjack game enabling bonus bets. The game can be played on a computing device (electronic version) or on a gaming table (table version). An example of a preferred computing device is a casino-type gaming machine, such as a slot machine, having a touch screen and/or buttons for receiving player inputs and configured for receiving and awarding money. Other computing devices for playing the game are envisioned, such as a PDA, personal computer, cellular telephone, etc.

A preferred embodiment of the game involves the player playing a one-on-one blackjack game against the dealer with the option to place zero or at least one bonus bet. More particularly, in one embodiment of the game, the player has the option of placing zero or at least one of the following bonus bets prior to the start of the blackjack game against the dealer (preferred payouts are noted in the parenthesis): one pair (the player's first two dealt cards have the same face value if they are number cards, e.g., two aces, two deuces, two threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., two jacks, two queens and two kings) (15 to 1); three-of-a-kind (the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card have the same value if the three cards are number cards, e.g., three aces, three deuces, three threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., three jacks, three queens and three kings) (400 to 1); the player's first two dealt cards are red (3 to 1); the player's first two dealt cards are black (3 to 1); the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card are red (7 to 1); the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card are black (7 to 1); the value of the player's first two dealt cards is less than 13 points (1 to 1—aces count as 1 only); the value of the player's first two dealt cards is greater than 13 points (1 to 1—aces count as 1 only); and the value of the player's first two dealt cards (the player can bet on the value being 16 (11 to 1), 17 (12 to 1), 18 (14 to 1), 19 (15 to 1), 20 (8 to 1) or 21 (blackjack) (19 to 1)), where aces count as 1 only. Additional bonus bets are contemplated such as the following: double down on all bets; dealer hits on 16; dealer stands on soft 17 (in the case where one of the rules is that the dealer must stand on 17); and single split by the player.

In another embodiment of the game, the player has the option of placing zero or at least one of the following bonus bets prior to the start of the blackjack game against the dealer (preferred payouts are noted in the parenthesis): one pair (the player's first two dealt cards have the same face value if they are number cards, e.g., two aces, two deuces, two threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., two jacks, two queens and two kings); the player's first two dealt cards are red (3 to 1); the player's first two cards are black (3 to 1); the value of the player's first two dealt cards is less than 13 points (1 to 1—aces count as 1 only); the value of the player's first two dealt cards is greater than 13 points (1 to 1—aces count as 1 only); and the value of the player's first two dealt cards (the player can bet on the value being 16 (11 to 1), 17 (12 to 1), 18 (14 to 1), 19 (15 to 1), 20 (8 to 1) or 21 (blackjack) (19 to 1)), where aces count as 1 only.

In still another embodiment of the game as shown by FIG. 25 and having a table layout 600, the player has the option of placing zero or at least one of the following bonus bets prior to the start of the blackjack game against the dealer (preferred payouts are noted in the parenthesis and in the Table shown by FIG. 25): one pair 602 (the player's first two dealt cards have the same face value if they are number cards, e.g., two aces, two deuces, two threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., two jacks, two queens and two kings) (12 to 1); the value of the player's first two dealt cards 604, 606, 608, 610, 612 (the player can bet on the value being 17 (12 to 1), 18 (14 to 1), 19 (15 to 1), 20 (8 to 1) or 21 (blackjack) (19 to 1)), where aces count as 1 only; the value of the player's first two dealt cards total 17 or 18 614 (6 to 1); the value of the player's first two dealt cards total 18 or 19 616 (6 to 1); the value of the player's first two dealt cards total 20 or 21 618 (5 to 1); and the value of the player's first two dealt cards total a number from 17 to 20 620 (2 to 1). For the above three embodiments, other bonus bets are contemplated which make play of the game exciting and interesting.

The embodiments shown by the various figures and described herein with respect to the game of the present invention use standard blackjack rules where the values of all of the cards in the player's hand are added together to form the player's point total for the blackjack portion of the game. The object is to get as close to 21 total points without going over. If the player goes over 21, the player “busts” and loses the game. Picture cards are worth 10 points and the ace is worth either 1 or 11, whichever prevents the player from going “bust”. Getting a value of 21 in the first two cards is considered “blackjack” and the player automatically wins. If the dealer gets “blackjack,” then the dealer wins. That is, if either the player or the dealer has blackjack, the game is immediately over and no further hitting or standing takes place.

Preferably, for all embodiments, at least one standard deck of 52 cards is used; blackjack pays 1-1; the player can double by selecting the DOUBLE soft button (see below) after his first two cards are dealt; only one split is allowed on any pair; the player can double by selecting the DOUBLE soft button after a split; no drawing to split aces; and no surrender. This information is preferably displayed on the graphical user interface as shown by the Figures. Further, preferably in all embodiments the dealer must hit on any value below 17 and must stand once the dealer has 17 or higher. Further still, in all embodiments, the bonus bet(s) is processed first, i.e., before the blackjack game is played. It is contemplated that more than one hand can be dealt to the player and that bonus bets can be placed for each hand as shown by FIGS. 15-25. Further, it is contemplated that the game can be played with multiple players.

In the embodiments described herein the player has the option to buy insurance, if the dealer shows an ace as his first card. By buying insurance it costs the player half of his bet, but the player is protected if the dealer has blackjack.

A detailed description of an exemplary play of the electronic version of the game will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-14. Even though the electronic version of the game is described herein as implemented for play via a casino-type gaming machine (e.g., slot machine), the game, as stated above, or a variation thereof, can be implemented to be played on a gaming table (table version) (see FIGS. 15-25).

FIG. 1 illustrates the graphical user interface which is designated generally by reference numeral 100. An initial screen view 101 of the graphical user interface 100 and every screen thereafter includes five soft command buttons 102A-102E (SPLIT, DOUBLE, HIT, STAND and DEAL) and four soft chip buttons 104A-104D ($5, $25, $100 and $500). The chip buttons are used for wagering as further described below and the command buttons are used as follows:

SPLIT—the player can select the split button 102A to instruct a splitting of the cards in the player's original hand that are the same value (two 8's for example). The player will then have an additional hand on which to play against the dealer. Each hand is played (one at a time) from right to left. The player can only split if the player has the right amount of credits, as displayed by a credit window 105, to cover the split;

DOUBLE—the player can select the double button 102B to double the amount of money the player bets for his hand for just one more card. The player must take the card and is then forced to stand. The player is allowed to “double down” by selecting the double button 102B only if the player has the right amount of credits, as displayed by the credit window 105, to cover the bet;

HIT—to instruct the dealer to deal a card to the player's hand;

STAND—to instruct the dealer that the player opts to not have any more cards dealt to a particular hand; and

DEAL—to initially instruct the dealer to deal two cards to form the player's original hand.

The initial screen view 101 (and every screen thereafter) also includes a bonus betting layout 106 having a plurality of bonus betting options. The bonus betting options include the following: one pair 108 (the player's first two dealt cards have the same face value if they are number cards, e.g., two aces, two deuces, two threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., two jacks, two queens and two kings); three-of-a-kind 110 (the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card have the same value if the three cards are number cards, e.g., three aces, three deuces, three threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., three jacks, three queens and three kings); the player's first two dealt cards are red 112; the player's first two dealt cards are black 114; the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card are red 116; the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card are black 118; the value of the player's first two dealt cards is less than 13 points 120; the value of the player's first two dealt cards is greater than 13 points 122; and the value of the player's first two dealt cards, where the player can bet on the value being 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 (blackjack) as designated by reference numerals 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 and 134, respectively. For both embodiments, other bonus bets are contemplated which make play of the game exciting and interesting.

In proximity to the bonus betting options, the bonus betting layout 106 includes the payout ratios. For example, the payout ratio for obtaining a three-of-a-kind is 400-to-1 and the payout ratio for obtaining a total winning point value of less than 13 points is 1-to-1.

A message 136 about the bonus betting layout 106 instructs the player how to place a bonus bet, i.e., by clicking one or more chip buttons 104A-104D and placing the selected chips on the bonus betting layout 106. Underneath the message 136, three windows display information: a first window 138 displays the amount of credits the player has available to him; a second window 140 displays the amount of credits betted for the blackjack game; and a third window 142 displays the amount of credits betted for the bonus bets.

A credit section 144 is provided below the bonus betting layout 106 having four windows. A first window (credit window) 105 informs the player of the total amount of credits available to him (as shown by FIG. 1, in the exemplary play of the game, 1000 credits are available to the player); a second window 148 informs the player of the total amount of credits won; a third window 150 informs the player of the total amount of credits won due to getting blackjack; and a fourth window 152 informs the player of the total amount of credits won by placing bonus bets. In proximity to the window 144, the casino-type gaming machine includes a slot 154 for inserting bills, coins, etc. in order for the player to purchase additional credits.

To place a blackjack bet, the player selects one of the chip buttons 104A-104D and places it above the command buttons 102A-102E as shown by FIG. 2, where a $100 blackjack bet is placed. As soon as the blackjack bet is placed, the window 105 is decreased by 100 credits due to the $100 blackjack bet, as well as window 138. Window 140 is increased by 100 credits due to the $100 blackjack bet.

The player then has the option to place zero or at least one bonus bet. As shown in FIG. 3, the player opts to place a $100 bonus bet that his first two dealt cards will be red. Hence, the window 105 is decreased by 100 credits due to the $100 bonus bet, as well as window 138. Window 142 is increased by 100 credits due to the $100 bonus bet. The player is then ready to have his two initial cards dealt for the blackjack game. Hence, the player selects or clicks on the DEAL button 102E and is dealt a ten of diamonds and a seven of hearts for a total of 17 points as shown by FIG. 4.

The dealer also deals himself two cards as shown by FIG. 4, one of which is faced down and one is faced up (up card). The up card is a four of diamonds such that the dealer is showing four points as displayed next to the dealer's cards. It is preferred that the cards are dealt alternatively, such that the player is dealt his first card, then the dealer is dealt his first card, then the player is dealt his second card, and then the dealer is dealt his second card.

Since the player is dealt two red cards, the player due to his bonus bet gets his $100 bonus bet back and is also awarded 300 credits, since the payout for two red cards is 3 to 1. As such, window 105 is increased by 400 credits to display 1200 credits, window 148 is increased by 300 credits to display 300 credits, and window 152 is increased by 300 credits to display 300 credits. Further, window 138 is increased by 400 credits to display 1200 credits.

The player then opts to stand on 17 by clicking on the STAND soft button 102D. With reference to FIG. 5, the dealer then deals himself two additional cards—the two of spades and the Jack of spades. The dealer then reveals his faced down card which is a Jack of hearts which gives the dealer a total point value of 26 points. Accordingly, the dealer goes bust and the player wins the blackjack game and is given back his $100 blackjack bet and is awarded $100 for winning the blackjack game against the dealer. Hence, window 105 is increased by 200 credits to display 1400 credits, window 148 is increased by 100 credits to display 400 credits, window 150 is increased by 100 credits to display 100 credits, and window 152 is increased by 300 credits to display 300 credits.

The player is then given the option of initiating a new blackjack game by clicking on window 156. Prior to starting the new blackjack game, the player places a $500 blackjack bet, as shown by FIG. 6, and a $500 bonus bet that the first two card dealt to the player will be black, as shown by FIG. 7. As shown by FIG. 6, due to the $500 blackjack bet, window 105 is decreased by 500 credits to display 900 credits, as well as window 138. Window 140 is increased by 500 credits to display 500 credits.

As shown by FIG. 7, due to the $500 bonus bet, window 105 is decreased by another 500 credits to display 400 credits, as well as window 138. Window 142 is increased by 500 credits to display 500 credits.

With reference to FIG. 8, the player then clicks the DEAL soft button 102E to be dealt his initial two card hand. His two card hand includes a Jack of diamonds and a two of spades. Since one card is red and one card is black, the player loses his bonus bet as indicated by window 136. Turning to the blackjack game, the player has 12 points and the dealer's up card is the seven of clubs. The player then decides to be dealt another card and therefore clicks the HIT soft button 102C. The player is dealt a three of hearts and the player now has 15 points as shown by FIG. 9.

The player then decides to be dealt another card and therefore clicks the HIT soft button 102C. The player is dealt an eight of diamonds and the player now has 23 points as shown by FIG. 10. Since the player went over 21 points, the player busts and the word “BUST” is displayed on the screen. The dealer's down card is then displayed to reveal a nine of clubs, thereby indicating that the dealer has sixteen points.

The player then clicks on window 156 to play again. Prior to starting the new blackjack game, the player places a $5 blackjack bet, a $100 bonus bet that the first two cards dealt to the player will be red, a $25 bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards will total more than 13 points, and a $5 bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards will total 16 points, as shown by FIG. 11.

As shown by FIG. 11, due to the $5 blackjack bet, and the $130 bonus bets, window 105 is decreased by 135 credits to display 265 credits, as well as window 138. Window 140 is increased by 5 credits to display 5 credits. Further, as shown by FIG. 11, due to the $130 bonus bets, window 142 is increased by 130 credits to display 130 credits.

With reference to FIG. 12, the player then clicks the DEAL soft button 102E to be dealt his initial two card hand. His two card hand includes a four of hearts and a six of diamonds. Since the two cards do not total 16 points, and also do not total more than 13 points, the player loses his bonus bets that the player's first two dealt cards will total 16 points and that the player's first two dealt cards will total more than 13 points, respectively. However, since the player's first two dealt cards are two red cards, the player wins the $100 bonus bet that the first two dealt cards to the player will be red cards, as indicated by window 136. Accordingly, the player gets his $100 bonus bet back and is also awarded $300 since the payout ratio for the bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards are red is 3-1. Windows 105 and 138 are therefore increased by 400 credits to display 665 credits and windows 148 and 152 are increased by 300 credits to display 300 credits.

Turning to the blackjack game, the player has 10 points and the dealer's up card is the eight of spades. The player then decides to be dealt another card and therefore clicks the HIT soft button 102C. The player is dealt a seven of hearts and the player now has 17 points as shown by FIG. 13. The player then decides to stand on 17 and clicks the STAND soft button 102D. The dealer's down card is then displayed to reveal a ten of spades, thereby indicating that the dealer has eighteen points. Since the dealer has more points than the player without going bust, the dealer wins the blackjack game and the game is over as indicated by window 136 in FIG. 14.

An exemplary play of the table version of the game of the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1-14 will now be described with reference to the illustrative table views shown by FIGS. 15-23. FIG. 15 shows an exemplary set-up for playing the table version of the game disclosed herein. The set-up includes a table layout or graphical user interface which is designated generally by reference numeral 500. The graphical user interface 500 includes areas 502A and 502B for placement of the players' tokens or chips. The areas 502A and 502B include sub-areas for placement of different-valued tokens, e.g., $5, $25, $100 and $500 tokens.

The graphical user interface 500 also includes areas 504A-E for placement of the players' blackjack bets. Each area 504 can correspond to a different hand dealt to the same player. Each area 504 can also correspond to a respective hand for two or more different players as described herein with reference to FIGS. 15-23. The graphical user interface 500 further includes areas 506A and 506B for placement of the cards dealt to the player(s). Additional areas 506 can also be provided for play of the game by more than two players. Another area 508 is included for placement of the dealer's cards. The graphical user interface 500 also includes bonus bet areas 510A and 510B which are similar to bonus betting layout 106 of the computerized version.

Areas 510A and 510B include a plurality of bonus betting options. The bonus betting options include the following: one pair 512 (the player's first two dealt cards have the same face value if they are number cards, e.g., two aces, two deuces, two threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., two jacks, two queens and two kings); three-of-a-kind 514 (the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card have the same value if the three cards are number cards, e.g., three aces, three deuces, three threes, etc., or are identical face cards, e.g., three jacks, three queens and three kings); the player's first two dealt cards are red 516; the player's first two dealt cards are black 518; the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card are red 520; the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's up card are black 522; the value of the player's first two dealt cards is less than 13 points 524; the value of the player's first two dealt cards is greater than 13 points 526; and the value of the player's first two dealt cards, where the player can bet on the value being 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 (blackjack) as designated by reference numerals 528, 530, 532, 534, 536 and 538, respectively. Other bonus bets are contemplated which make play of the game exciting and interesting.

In proximity to the bonus betting options, each of the areas 510A and 510B includes the payout ratios for each bonus bet. For example, the payout ratio for obtaining a three-of-a-kind is 400-to-1 and the payout ratio for obtaining a total winning point value of less than 13 points is 1-to-1.

As with the computerized version, the player can issue one of the following commands to the dealer: SPLIT, DOUBLE, HIT, STAND and DEAL.

SPLIT—the player can select splitting of the cards in the player's original hand that are the same value (two 8's for example). The player will then have an additional hand on which to play against the dealer. Each hand is played (one at a time) from right to left. The player can only split if the player has the right amount of credits to cover the split;

DOUBLE—the player can select to double the amount of money the player bets for his hand for just one more card. The player must take the card and is then forced to stand. The player is allowed to “double down” only if the player has the right amount of credits to cover the bet;

HIT—to instruct the dealer to deal a card to the player's hand;

STAND—to instruct the dealer that the player opts to not have any more cards dealt to a particular hand; and

DEAL—to initially instruct the dealer to deal two cards to form the player's original hand.

With continued reference to FIG. 15, area 506A corresponds to player 1 and area 506B corresponds to player 2. (It is contemplated that an individual player can play more than one hand, such that, for example, areas 506A and 506B correspond to the same player.)

Player 1 bets $100 for the blackjack game and places a $100 chip on area 504A. Player 2 bets $25 for the blackjack game and places a $25 chip on area 504B. Further, player 1 opts to place several bonus bets which can earn the player additional winnings. The bonus bets placed by player 1 are indicated by placement of chips on bonus bet area 510A. The bonus bets placed by player 1 are the following: $100 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card will be red; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card will be black; $100 the player's first two dealt cards will be red; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will be black; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total less than thirteen points; $100 the player's first two dealt cards will total more than thirteen points; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total twenty points; and $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total twenty-one points or that the player will get blackjack.

The bonus bets opted and placed by player 2 are the following: $500 that the player's first two dealt cards will be a pair (two-of-a-kind); $25 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card will be red; $25 that the player's first two dealt cards will be red; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will be black; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total less than thirteen points; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total more than thirteen points; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total seventeen points; and $25 that the player's first two dealt cards will total twenty-one points or that the player will get blackjack. The bonus bets for player 2 are indicated by placement of chips on bonus bet area 510B.

With reference to FIG. 16, after being instructed by players 1 and 2, the dealer deals two face up cards to player 1 and player 2 by placing the cards in areas 506A and 506B, respectively. The dealer also deals one face down card and one upturned card to himself by placing the cards in area 508.

The cards dealt and corresponding to player 1 include a ten of diamonds and a queen of clubs giving player 1 a total of twenty points. Accordingly, the bonus bets won by player 1 are the bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards will total more than thirteen points and the bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards will total twenty points. Hence, player 1 is awarded $100 for the former bonus bet and $800 for the latter bonus bet according to the payout ratios. Player 1 is also awarded his original bonus bets of $100 for each bet, thereby giving player 1 a total credit of 1100 points as shown by FIG. 16 near area 504A.

The cards dealt and corresponding to player 2 include an eight of spades and a queen of spades giving player 2 a total of eighteen points. Accordingly, the bonus bets won by player 2 are the bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards will total more than thirteen points and the bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards will be black. Hence, player 2 is awarded $100 for the former bonus bet and $300 for the latter bonus bet according to the payout ratios. Player 2 is also awarded his original bonus bets of $100 for each bet, thereby giving player 2 a total credit of 600 points as shown by FIG. 16 near area 504B.

With reference to FIG. 17, the game of blackjack continues with players 1 and 2 deciding to stand on twenty and eighteen points, respectively. The dealer then deals himself two additional cards (a three of hearts and a nine of diamonds) to area 508 and turning over the face down card (five of clubs) to give the dealer a total of twenty-five points. Accordingly, the dealer goes bust and both players are declared winners. Player 1 wins 100 points and player 2 wins 25 points. Player 1 is also awarded his blackjack bet of $100 for the left hand and player 2 is awarded his blackjack bet of $25, thereby giving player 1 a total of 1300 credits and player 2 a total of 650 credits after the game of blackjack is finished.

With reference to FIGS. 18-23, there is shown another round of game play of the table version of the inventive game. With reference to FIG. 18, player 1 bets $100 for the blackjack game and places a $100 chip on area 504A. Player 2 also bets $100 for the blackjack game and places a $100 chip on area 504B. Further, player 1 places several bonus bets which can earn the player additional winnings. The bonus bets are indicated by placement of chips on bonus bet area 510A. The bonus bets corresponding to player 1 are the following: $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will be a pair; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card will be three-of-a-kind; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card will be red; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card will be black; $100 the player's first two dealt cards will be red; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will be black; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total less than thirteen points; and $100 the player's first two dealt cards will total more than thirteen points.

The bonus bets placed by player 2 are the following: $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will be a pair; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card with be three-of-a-kind; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card will be red; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards and the dealer's upturned card will be black; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will be red; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will be black; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total less than thirteen points; $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total more than thirteen points; and $100 that the player's first two dealt cards will total twenty-one points or that the player will get blackjack. The bonus bets for player 2 are indicated by placement of chips on bonus bet area 510B.

With reference to FIG. 19, after being instructed by players 1 and 2, the dealer deals two face up cards to players 1 and 2 by placing the cards in areas 506A and 506B, respectively. The dealer also deals one face down card and one upturned card to himself by placing the cards in area 508.

The cards dealt and corresponding to player I include a nine of hearts and a five of hearts giving player 1 a total of fourteen points. Accordingly, the bonus bets won by player 1 are the bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards will total more than thirteen points and the bonus bet that the player's first two dealt cards will be red. Hence, player 1 is awarded $100 for the former bonus bet and $300 for the latter bonus bet according to the payout ratios. Player 1 is also awarded his original bonus bets of $100 for each bet, thereby giving player 1 a total credit of 600 points as shown by FIG. 19 near area 504A.

The cards dealt and corresponding to player 2 include a six of clubs and a seven of hearts giving player 2 a total of thirteen points. Accordingly, player 2 does not win any bonus bets. Hence, player 2 is not awarded any points as shown by FIG. 19 near area 504B.

With reference to FIG. 20, the game of blackjack continues. Player 2 first instructs the dealer to hit. As such, the dealer deals a card (ace of hearts) to area 504B corresponding to player 2, thereby giving player 2 a total of fourteen points. With reference to FIG. 21, player 2 then instructs the dealer to hit one more time. As such, the dealer deals another card (four of hearts) to area 504B corresponding to player 2, thereby giving player 2 a total of eighteen points. Player 2 then decides to stand on eighteen.

With reference to FIG. 22, player 1 then instructs the dealer to hit. As such, the dealer deals a card (five of clubs) to area 504A corresponding to player 1, thereby giving player 1 a total of nineteen points. Player 1 then decides to stand on nineteen for the left hand.

With reference to FIG. 23, the dealer then deals himself one card (three of hearts) and turns over the face down card (king of diamonds) to give the dealer a total of seventeen points. The dealer has to stand on seventeen according to the rules (the dealer must hit on any value below seventeen and must stand once the dealer has seventeen points or higher). Accordingly, both players are declared winners. Player 1 wins 100 points and player 2 wins 100 points. Players 1 and 2 are also awarded their blackjack bets of $100, thereby giving player 1 a total of 800 credits and player 2 a total of 200 credits after the game of blackjack is finished.

With reference to FIG. 24, there is shown a table view of an exemplary play of a table version of the inventive game of an alternate embodiment. The alternate embodiment is similar in play to the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 15-23 and like reference numbers designate the same elements. The inventive game shown by FIG. 24 is played using the same rules with respect to the game described above with reference to FIGS. 15-23. The major difference of the inventive game shown by FIG. 24 with the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 15-23 is that the game shown by FIG. 24 takes into consideration only the first two cards dealt to the player with respect to bonus bets. As such, the bonus bet options of the player's first two cards and the dealer's upturned card being three-of-a-kind, all red and all black have been removed from areas 510A and 510B as bonus bet options.

In the table view shown by FIG. 24, the hand corresponding to player 1 includes a jack of spades and a seven of spades giving player 1 a total value of seventeen points. Since player 1 has placed a $5 bonus bet of obtaining a total value of seventeen points with his first two dealt cards, player 1 is awarded 60 credits (12-1 odds of obtaining seventeen points), plus 5 credits for the $5 bonus bet.

The hand corresponding to player 2 includes an ace of clubs and a nine of spades giving player 2 a total value of twenty points. Since player 2 has placed a $25 bonus bet of obtaining two black cards, player 2 is awarded 75 credits (3-1 odds of obtaining two black cards), plus 25 credits for the $25 bonus bet. The game then continues with the blackjack portion of the game.

Players 1 and 2 decide to stand. Accordingly, the dealer deals himself one additional card (king of clubs) and turns over his face down card (five of spades) to indicate that he has a total of 17 points. Since the dealer has 17 points, according to the blackjack rules (the same rules as the rules described above with reference to FIGS. 15-23) which dictate that the dealer must stand on 17 points or higher, the dealer stands on 17. With respect to player 1, the outcome is a push, and with respect to player 2, the outcome is a win for the player.

It is contemplated that the alternate embodiments shown by FIGS. 24 and 25 can be implemented for play via a PDA, personal computer, cellular telephone, etc. having at least one processor (i.e., the alternate embodiments shown by FIGS. 24 and 25 can be implemented for play using a computer (electronic version)). It is further contemplated that all the embodiments described herein can be implemented as a set of programmable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a CD, 3.5″ diskette, hard drive, etc., and capable of being executed by at least one processor for individual play (one player) or multiple play (multiple players). The embodiments described herein can also be configured and adapted for play over a network, such as the Internet, by a single or multiple players. The embodiments described herein can also be configured for play via a casino-type gaming machine, such as a slot machine.

One skilled in the art can also configure the game of the various embodiments as a lottery card having scratch-off areas for area 506 and 508. The player scratches-off areas 506 and 508 to reveal playing cards to determine if he won any of the selected bonus bets and/or the blackjack portion of the game.

What has been described herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. For example, the electronic and table versions of the inventive game described above and implemented as the best mode for operating the present invention are for illustration purposes only. Other arrangements and methods may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. 

1. A method of playing a card game, comprising the steps of: receiving zero or at least one non-blackjack bet from a player; displaying two cards to said player to form a two-card hand; resolving said two-card hand in accordance with predetermined rules; and continuing with a blackjack game, wherein said at least one non-blackjack bet being selected from the group consisting of said two-card hand comprising cards having a total value equal to one of two predetermined numbers, and said two-card hand comprising cards having a total value within a predetermined range.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to said displaying step, receiving at least a two-card hand wager from said player.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said resolving step is practiced by paying a payout based on the two-card hand wager if the player's two dealt cards provide a winning two-card hand in accordance with the predetermined rules.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to said displaying step, receiving at least one blackjack bet from said player.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one non-blackjack bet is further selected from the group consisting of said two-card hand being a pair, and said two-card hand comprising cards having a total value equal to a predetermined number.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the resolving step comprises the step of applying the predetermined rules to the at least one non-blackjack bet to determine whether the player is a winner.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said game is played on a gaming table having a first predefined area for receiving zero or at least one non-blackjack bet and a second predefined area for receiving a blackjack bet.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said game is played over a network.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said game is played via a casino-type gaming machine.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said game is played via a lottery-card having at least one scratch-off area for displaying said two-card hand.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said game is configured as a set of programmable instructions capable of being executed by at least one processor.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the set of programmable instructions are stored on a computer-readable medium.
 13. A gaming system for playing a card game comprising: means for receiving zero or at least one non-blackjack bet from a player; means for displaying two cards to said player to form a two-card hand; means for resolving said two-card hand in accordance with predetermined rules; and means for continuing with a blackjack game, wherein said at least one non-blackjack bet being selected from the group consisting of said two-card hand comprising cards having a total value equal to one of two predetermined numbers, and said two-card hand comprising cards having a total value within a predetermined range.
 14. The gaming system according to claim 13, further comprising means for receiving at least a two-card hand wager from said player.
 15. The gaming system according to claim 14, further comprising means for paying a payout based on the two-card hand wager if the player's two dealt cards provide a winning two-card hand in accordance with the predetermined rules.
 16. The gaming system according to claim 13, further comprising means for receiving at least one blackjack bet from said player.
 17. The gaming system according to claim 13, wherein said at least one non-blackjack bet is selected from the group consisting of said two-card hand being a pair, and said two-card hand comprising cards having a total value equal to a predetermined number.
 18. The gaming system according to claim 13, wherein the means for resolving comprises means for applying the predetermined rules to the at least one non-blackjack bet to determine whether the player is a winner.
 19. The gaming system according to claim 13, further comprising a gaming table having a first predefined area for receiving said zero or at least one non-blackjack bet and a second predefined area for receiving a blackjack bet.
 20. A computer-readable medium storing a set of programmable instructions capable of being executed by at least one processor for playing a game comprising the steps of: means for receiving zero or at least one non-blackjack bet from a player; displaying two cards to said player to form a two-card hand; resolving said two-card hand in accordance with predetermined rules; and continuing with a blackjack game, wherein said at least one non-blackjack bet being selected from the group consisting of said two-card hand comprising cards having a total value equal to one of two predetermined numbers, and said two-card hand comprising cards having a total value within a predetermined range. 